Today, let us remember and honor the bravery and heroism of the veterans who fought valiantly for our freedom and sovereignty. May their sacrifice inspire us to stand our ground and remain steadfast against all attempts to undermine our autonomy and democracy.
Photos: Maningsambale, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Judgefloro, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: National Historical Commission of the Philippines; perspective correction: Eugene Alvin Villar (seav), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This international women’s month, we honor the extraordinary legacies of Dr. Fe Del Mundo and Dr. Maria Orosa, two exceptional Filipina pioneers who have left an indelible mark on Philippine society. Their achievements and innovations are a testament to the resourcefulness, intelligence, and tenacity of Filipina women, whose contributions remain relevant and in practice today.
May we follow in their footsteps and let compassion lead the way to greatness.
Fe del Mundo (1911-2011)
a pioneer in Philippine medicine, founded the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Breaking barriers, she became the first female president of both the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Philippine Medical Association. In 1980, she made history as the inaugural woman named National Scientist of the Philippines. Her pioneering spirit extended to founding and leading the Philippine Pediatric Society, becoming the first Asian president of the Philippine Medical Association, and achieving the remarkable feat of being the first Asian president of the Medical Woman’s International Association. Dr. del Mundo fought gender inequality through academic excellence and brought much-needed medical care to women and children during World War II. She was a symbol of female empowerment in medicine, both in the Philippines and abroad.
Maria Orosa (1893-1945)
a pioneer in Philippine science and culinary arts, made a lasting impact on history through her innovative spirit and transformative creations. Known for her inventions such as calamnsi juice powder and banana ketchup, as well as her ingenious palayok oven, Orosa not only reshaped Philippine cuisine but also offered practical solutions to real-life problems, especially during times of war.
Moreover, Orosa’s ingenious palayok oven brought practical solutions to households without electricity, while her culinary expertise preserved traditional Filipino dishes like adobo and kilawin. Her legacy as a trailblazer in science, innovation, and community welfare continues to inspire generations.
We continue our celebration of International Women’s Month by remembering the contributions of Pura Villanueva Kalaw and Josefa Llanes Escoda. Their tireless advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment has had an enduring impact in the country to this day.
Let us sustain their efforts by being good leaders in our fields of influence and ensuring that all sectors of society are able to assert themselves in ways that embody the principles of a true democracy.
Josefa Llanes Escoda (1898-1945)
Revered as a Girl Scout and war hero, Escoda embodied empowerment and courage. Rising from humble origins, she demonstrated exceptional academic prowess and dedicated her life to education and social welfare, acknowledging the profound influence of knowledge and justice. As president of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs, she fearlessly advocated for women’s rights, particularly voting rights. She founded the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and mentored young women in community service, underscoring her commitment to fostering the next generation of female leaders. During wartime, she mobilized Girl Scouts and women’s clubs to care for children, cook for soldiers, and shelter war orphans. She is memorialized in the 1000-peso bill, in recognition of her legacy of empowering young girls and young women to be leaders in society, the country, and in the global community.
Pura Villanueva Kalaw (1886-1954)
As a pioneering suffragette, Kalaw made an impact on Philippije society at just 20 years old by leading the Associación Feminista Ilongga. She championed women’s rights to vote with the motto: “What a man can do, a woman can do just as well.” She participated in the first beauty pageant in the Philippines and won the title of Carnival Queen of the Orient. She used this platform to amplify her message about the importance of women’s suffrage. Through her writings, public speeches, and campaigns, she fought for three decades until Filipino women won the right to vote in 1937. Kalaw’s enduring legacy resonates today, ensuring that girls grow up empowered, knowing their voices will be heard and their votes will count, continuing the journey towards equality and justice for generations to come.
Fantastic Filipinas: “Feeding the Fight:The Story of Maria Orosa.” Written by Ceej Tantengco and Sabrina Schnabel. Art by Alexandra, Lucas, and Leia Broekman
Fantastic Filipinas: “Pediatrician and Pioneer: The Story of Fe Del Mundo.” Written by Ceej Tantengco and Sabrina Schnabel. Art by Dani Go.
“Whats AP? Araling Panlipunan Rebooted” Podcast
Fantastic Filipinas: Girl Scout, War Hero – The Story of Josefa Llanes Escoda, Written by Ceej Tantengco and Sabrina Schnabel, Art by Alexandra Romualdez Broekman
Fantastic Filipinas: Super Suffragette – The Story of Pura Villanueva-Kalaw, Written by Ceej Tantengco and Sabrina Schnabel, Art by Georgina Camus
Today and every day, OICA proudly honors the impactful work of women around the world and the institutions that support them. These include the PCW, UPCWGS, UPDGO, and OASH, which all persist with a purpose – addressing ongoing challenges and promoting gender equality. Let’s recognize the significance of their existence and unite for a more inclusive and equal world.
On 4 November 1985, President Ferdinand Marcos announced in an interview on the ABC program “This Week with David Brinkley” that he was ready to call a snap election in the Philippines. This pronouncement followed mounting international pressure and criticism of his government policies. On 3 December 1985, Batas Pambansa Blg. 883, an act calling for a special election for President and Vice President to be held on 7 February 1986, was approved.
To prevent electoral fraud and to ‘preserve the sanctity of the ballot’, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) mobilized over 500,000 volunteers to serve as poll watchers for the snap elections. The International Observer Delegation also arrived in the Philippines to monitor the election.
Snap Elections were held on February 7, 1986. Two days later, NAMFREL’s unofficial count revealed Corazon Aquino to be winning, but the “official” tally showed Ferdinand Marcos in the lead. In protest of the alleged blatant manipulation of election results – a wide discrepancy that was clearly seen between the election count and tally board – 35 COMELEC employees walked out.
By virtue of Resolution No. 38, signed on February 15, 1986, Ferdinand Marcos and Arturo Tolentino were proclaimed by the Batasang Pambansa as winners of the snap elections. This announcement was met with public outrage. Fifty opposition members of parliament walked out in protest. The next day, Corazon Aquino and Salvador Laurel held a “Tagumpay ng Bayan” (People’s Victory) rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, Manila. Aquino called for a civil disobedience campaign through strikes and the boycott of companies owned by Marcos cronies. Among these were the major newspaper companies, San Miguel Corporation, and several banks, including the Philippine National Bank. In less than a week, a total of Php1.78 billion had been withdrawn from crony banks. People all around the country had heeded Aquino’s call.
On February 19, 1986, the US Senate declared that the snap elections was rigged by the ruling party. The international delegation also reported anomalies they observed during the election day such as, disenfranchisement, vote buying, intimidation, and exclusion of NAMFREL from polling sites. On February 22, after a failed coup attempt by the Reform the Armed Movement (RAM), then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, along with Lieutenant General Fidel V. Ramos, announced his defection from the Marcos Administration and recognized Cory as the duly elected President of the Philippines.
Consequently, Cardinal Sin went on air in Radio Veritas, the Catholic radio station that had become a reliable source of news at this time, and asked the people to peacefully show their support for Enrile and Ramos.
From February 22 to 25, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos amassed at the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), calling for a peaceful ouster of Ferdinand Marcos.
In a last attempt to hold into power, Marcos insisted on pushing through with his inauguration. Cory, too, would hold her own inaugural ceremony. Thus, on February 25, the Philippines had two presidents. Corazon Aquino took her oath in Club Filipino in San Juan while Ferdinand Marcos followed an hour later in Malacañang Palace.
Because of the overwhelming support for Aquino and the key military and political defections, Marcos faced defeat and was forced together with his family to depart for Hawaii in exile.
Aquino and Laurel then assumed office and slowly began the restoration of democracy.
References:
“Interview with President Marcos and Senator Laxalt.” Radio TV Reports, Inc. LINK
“Batas Pambansa Blg. 883.” The LAWPHiL Project. Arellano Law Foundation. LINK
“The Fall of the Dictatorship.” The Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. LINK
“Namfrel History.” National Citizens’ Movement For Free Elections. LINK
“A Path to Democratic Renewal.” International Observer Delegation. LINK
“Resolution No. 38.” The Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. LINK.
Stuart-Santiago, Angela. “Before EDSA – Marcos Times, 1965-1986.” Chronology of a Revolution. EDSA Revolution. LINK.
“Proclamation No. 1, s. 1986.” The Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. LINK.
Alain Coudert, from the book “People Power, An Eyewitness History: The Philippine Revolution of 1986” (1986) by Monina Allarey Mercado
Joey De Vera, from the book “People Power, An Eyewitness History: The Philippine Revolution of 1986” (1986) by Monina Allarey Mercado
Sonny Camarillo and Linglong Ortiz, from the book “People Power, An Eyewitness History: The Philippine Revolution of 1986” (1986) by Monina Allarey Mercado
Romeo Vitug, from the book “People Power, An Eyewitness History: The Philippine Revolution of 1986” (1986) by Monina Allarey Mercado
Nakikiisa ang UPD-OICA sa pagbibigay-pugay at paggunita sa kabayanihan ni Gat. Jose Rizal. Siya ay naging tanglaw ng mga nakibaka para sa karapatan ng bawat Pilipino. Ating patuloy na alalahanin at isabuhay ang diwa ng kanyang pagmamahal sa bayan at pagtataguyod sa makatao at makatarungang lipunan!
Content by Monica Delos Santos Poster by Christian Jay Santillan
Reference: QUOTATIONS FROM RIZAL’S WRITINGS Volume X (1962), Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission, via the National Memory Project, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP): https://memory.nhcp.gov.ph/page/3/?s=rizal#item20458_62
